The newborn blood spot test helps to check if babies have any of 9 rare conditions, some of which can be life-threatening, and you can discuss this with your midwife.
The 9 checks are:
- cystic fibrosis (CF)
- sickle cell disease (SCD)
- congenital hypothyroidism (CHT)
- phenylketonuria (PKU)
- medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD)
- maple syrup urine disease (MSUD)
- isovaleric acidaemia (IVA)
- glutaric aciduria type 1 (GA1)
- homocystinuria (HCU)
Knowing early whether a baby might have or get these conditions means they can start to be monitored and treated sooner.
This can improve their long-term health and development and prevent severe disability.
It’s important to tell your midwife or doctor as soon as possible if you or anyone else related to your baby has any of the conditions being checked for. For further information please click on this link NHS screening – NHS